Business and Babies

My 5 Steps To Working With The Chaos

There are so many things that I've read online about how to organize your day, how to take action to be successful, and how to be productive that are geared towards entrepreneurs that either don't have kids or have kids in full time care. 

For myself being a stay at home mom with a business, reading those were daunting. What they describe as easy changes seem incredibly impossible when trying to apply them with 3 young children running around.

Advise like: Wake up early, Meditate, Keep your home clean and organized, Work uninterrupted. I laughed. For me those things are not always possible and definitely not "easy".

I know its just as possible for a mompreneur to be successful while home with the kids, its just about doing things differently.

1. Let go of expectations

I don't mean not to be organized. You should absolutely be making to do lists and writing everything down when you can to stay productive, and set timelines for yourself. You just gotta be realistic. Have a plan, but when things happen (maybe kids don't nap that day, or billy pushed sally down the stairs and you find yourself in the ER, or one of them rips up your notes) know that things will always work out and to not be too hard on yourself when there are bad days. Things always workout and you'll make up time lost on the good days!

2. Take advantage of the good days

When things are going smoothly and your feeling good, take FULL advantage and get as much done as you can!

Work ahead and prep so that your prepared for the bad days. Days like this are the best because I feel so accomplished and I'm ready for the next few days regardless of what may occur. Even to take some time to just fill out your calendar or update tasks you need to complete make you feel like you got everything back on track!

3. Keep an open mind & work on creating a predictable routine

I know. Don't laugh. I say this with MUCH flexibility. 

But creating some sort of daily routine guideline is not only beneficial for you and your business, but its also great for your kids to have that daily structure.

My day for example: 

7 AM: Wake-up, breakfast, coffee, time with kids. 

10 AM: Babies nap, Lexi has play time, and I get to work!! (sometimes more than a hour sometimes less)

12-3 PM- I make lunch, clean, organize and do what i can with kids running around (I wrote the first draft for this with a baby on my lap)

3 PM- Nap again-I usually plan dinner, spend time with Lexi, finish up small duties.

4-7 PM- Hubby gets home, we eat dinner and family time.

7-8 PM- Bedtime routine

8-9 PM- More work/whatever I want or need to do. 

9-10 PM- Unwind with Dylon and relax. 

Everyday will have changes but our routine generally looks the same. Whether your a SAHP or a working parent- figure out a general structure you and your family can follow that can balance things. 

4. Take care of yourself!!

Bottom line, if your not feeling good, nothings going to get done. 

Fuel yourself and stay healthy by eating nourishing food. Make yourself easy healthy snacks for you and the kids, not only are you demonstrating positive healthy eating habits, you'll feel good, and have the energy to get stuff done. Being a parent is demanding enough, let alone running a business, so you gotta keep fuel in the tank! 

If anyone's wanting, I'd be happy to make a post about some easy healthy snack and food that we often eat. 

Another important key to staying healthy, is staying hydrated! Make sure your drinking water DAILY, the average person should be consuming at least 2 L of water per day. 

5. Enjoy it

Take time to laugh, snuggle, and embrace being able to hustle from home. Need a break? have a dance party and soak in all the beautiful smiles and joy that children bring to our lives. Being able to be home is such a blessing and I'm so grateful. The days are long and it's by no means "easy" but the experience is so unbelievably worth it!

Hope this helps anyone who may be struggling finding that "balance" working from home. All about consistency and embracing the chaos. 

Much Love, Teesha.